Corporate America would have us believe in a very narrow definition of success: material wealth.  The more money you have, the more “stuff” you have, the more successful you are.  Sure, some people might talk about family life or a “work-life balance,” but for the most part, American society dictates that money = success.

I disagree.  I wouldn’t consider myself successful if I had all the money in the world, but I was sick, lonely, and unhappy. 

So here’s the challenge: write what success means for you.  What would you need to have in your life for you to consider yourself successful, regardless of what society thinks?

Since I posed the challenge, I’ll go first:

At this stage in my life, I would consider myself successful if I had (or did):
- a comfortable place to live, probably a condo in a nice part of Montreal (the Plateau, the outskirts of downtown, or NDG), which I owned and was easily able to pay for every month
- a long-term boyfriend or husband who I loved and who loved me
- a few close friends I could trust with anything, and a larger circle of fun aquaintances to spend time with
- a job that allowed me to transmit important and useful information to people who could apply it to their lives, whether this is by teaching, public speaking, or writing
- a job that allowed me enough time to have a life, and that didn’t pressure me to work long, unncessary hours
- enough money to pay for my daily needs and a few luxuries
- a close, deep connection with my family
- good health and an active lifestyle; knowledge that I’m progressing in karate
- a connection with my neighbours and neighbourhood

So that’s my vision.  I think it’s important to note that “having enough money to buy anything I ever wanted” is decidedly not on this list—I don’t buy into consumerism (pardon the pun).

What about you?

Cheers,
Julie

I would consider myself successful if

- I had achieved my fitness and weight loss goals
- I had developed a more diverse/healthy diet
- I had gotten my basic education
- I had stopped reacting, and started acting with purpose moreso than I do now
- I had fulfilled my dream of becoming a skilled vocalist(and depending upon where that takes me, possibly become a licensed SLS teacher)
- I had accomplished many things for my faith and brought glory to God
- Conquered the ups and downs of my mental state and find balance
- Learned how to love myself no matter what and not care about any outside forces pushing and pulling
- Learn to not be anxious over things in the future
- Be financially secure. I don’t need to be rich, I just want to have what I need(and some things I want!) and the means with which to pull myself out of financial crises when they arise.

So yeah, that’s the list of things I would like to accomplish. If I can get half of those things, then I think I’m doing pretty good.

I would consider myself successful when I can wake up in the morning with a smile on my face and then return to bed at the end of the day with a smile on my face. Happiness = Success.

Excellent question Julie!

I’ve been mulling it around for a few days, and I finally concluded that I feel successful when I am able to stay in the present moment.  Not rehashing the past and not worrying or daydreaming about the future.  Just staying right here right now.  That’s the only time/place that joy and peace are possible.